Second fishing opener scheduled for next week

Region Two Fish Manager Jeff Korth has sent along the prospects

for the April 1 opener.

Region Two Fish Manager Jeff Korth has sent along the prospects for the April 1 opener. Here they are:

Upper and Lower Hampton lakes

These are among the largest waters to open April 1. Lower Hampton has a primitive boat launch. Upper Hampton is a walk-in lake, but it is not too far to carry a float tube. Both lakes were rehabilitated in the fall of 2004. Lower Hampton has an expanding population of sunfish.

The bugaboo on Upper Hampton is pisciverous birds (we looked this word up and it means fish-eating and we have a feeling this means cormorants), which also play a role in the food chain on these lakes. Angling in 2009 will be similar to that of 2008. Lower Hampton should have two sizes of yearling rainbow, 12 inch fish from last spring's fingerling plant and 8 to 10 inch fish from last fall's fingerling plant. The smaller fish will grow quickly this spring and should make for good late spring angling. Upper Hampton has the larger fish, probably 13 to 14 inch yearlings and some larger carryovers, but catch rates will be lower.

Stocking rates, all rainbow trout, were as follows: Spring, Upper Hampton, 26,500 spring fingerlings; Lower Hampton, 5,000 spring fingerlings and 4,500 fall fingerlings; Hen, 750 spring fingerlings.

Pillar-Widgeon lakes

These 10, small, walk-in lakes are spread over about a square mile of beautiful canyon land. Access is just southeast of Soda Lake. Rehabilitated in 2004, these waters should provide a very enjoyable angling adventure and some good fishing for the persistent angler. Bank fishing can be found on most, but a float tube would much enhance angling success. The best of the lot will probably be Widgeon, Sago, and Pillar, but never count any of the other waters out. Fingerling rainbow stocking rates are: Pillar, 2,500; Gadwall, 750; Shoveler, 750; Lemna, 450; Poacher, 150; Snipe, 600; Cattail, 1,500; Sago, 300; Hourglass 300; Widgeon, 1,650.

Para-Juvenile, McManaman, Halfmoon and Morgan lakes

These small lakes constitute the lower portion of the drainage below the Hampton Lakes. Due to a shortage at the hatchery only McMannaman and Para Juvenile were stocked for 2009. Sunfish, perch, and bass currently impact trout survival, so expect a few large carryover fish. Note: Morgan Lake and much of Halfmoon Lake are on private land and access is from the west end of Halfmoon Lake. Morgan Lake can only be accessed via the waters of Halfmoon Lake. Para-Juvenile is for 14-year-old and younger anglers only. Stocking rates: McMannaman, 1,400; Para-Juvenile, 2,400.

North and South Teal lakes, Herman and Lyle lakes

All of these waters have been infiltrated with spiny-rayed fishes and rainbow trout survival has been poor. Nonetheless, trout-angling pressure has been relatively light. As a result there's a good chance some carry-overs will be caught. Rumor also has it that some nice bluegill can be caught. Fingerling rainbow stocking rates are as follows: North Teal, 6,300; South Teal, 9,000; Herman, 10,600; Lyle, 3,000.

Hutchinson and Shiner lakes, Coyote, Bobcat and Hayes creeks and ponds

These warmwater fisheries also open April 1. Since the rehabilitations in 1997, these waters have sported very good bass and bluegill fisheries. Coyote and Bobcat creeks and ponds are small waters, which usually warm up quickly and provide some excellent early warmwater fishing. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on Hutchinson and Shiner, and Coyote and Bobcat creeks and ponds are walk-in access only. Access for both areas is off McMannaman Road.

Dry Falls Lake

This is a quality fishery water at Sun Lakes State Park. Dry Falls had a strong 2008 season and 2009 should be even better. The 2009 opener should be very good for yearling rainbow at 14 inches and about 20 percent carryovers from 16 to 24 inches. Catch rates should average 5 to 10 fish per trip and the right place at the right time could produce catches of 20 plus fish days. The catch should also include brown and tiger trout, which is a brown and brook trout cross. Selective fishing regulations include a one fish limit; single, barbless hook; no bait. The stocking rate for 2008 was 9,900 fingerling rainbow.

Year-around waters

Canal, Windmill and Heart lakes: These waters all received catchables last fall. Angling has been very good this spring.

Corral and Blythe lakes: These waters were rehabbed in 2007 and will have excellent fisheries in 2009.

Burke and Quincy lakes: These March 1 waters were iced up on the opener, but are fishing very well now.

Time to purchase

a new license

Current fishing licenses will expire at midnight March 31. It is time to go online and purchase a new one. At the same time, hunters might consider purchasing their license and all of their tags.

The first hunting season of the year will take place on April 4 and April 5, when a spring wild turkey season takes place for youth under age 16. The general spring turkey season will begin on April 15 and continue through May 31.

Hunters need to also be aware of a change of the application period for special hunt permits. The application period will begin April 20 and continue through May 20.

The easiest way to purchase all licenses and tags is online. We do it for our hunting and fishing group and ourselves. The licenses and tags are then mailed to the angler/hunter.

Most annual licenses include a state Department of Fish and Wildlife vehicle-use permit, which allows access to more than 600 recreational sites throughout the state. Sold separately, the annual permit costs $10.95. The online site is fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or licenses may be purchases by calling 866-246-9453. Then there is the old standby, the local sporting goods store.